Our Mane Team

Jennifer Garland, Program Director and Founder, The Mane Intent™ Inc.

Welcome to The Mane Intent! I am a Mother, Wife, Sister, Daughter, Friend, Artist, Entrepreneur, Community Leader, Corporate Consultant, Effectiveness Coach and Facilitator. I value the gift of life and all that it offers. I believe in making the most of the talents, skills, and experiences that define who I am and inspiring others to be their best.

I also believe in the power of the herd. Horses have helped me take the lead through many life experiences, inspiring change and personal growth. Riding in the Arizona desert almost 20 years ago, I made a decision to launch my own corporate communications and management consulting firm called The Cactus Group. In 2013, my journey with horses led to gaining my certification in FEEL (Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning™*) and establishing The Mane Intent Inc. in 2014.

Our intent is to bring humans and horses as natural coaches together to explore new possibilities and experiences that improve your health and wellness, challenge you to try new things, gain more confidence, harness your ideas and take the lead.

As a senior writer, strategy and communications consultant, facilitator and effectiveness coach, I bring to this unique work over 25 years of leadership experience in communications, marketing and change management for a variety of sectors including healthcare. The focus of my professional life as President of The Cactus Group is developing strategic relationship building approaches for individuals, executive teams, and the organizations they lead by drawing upon my unique combination of facilitation, organizational change and marketing communications and community investment experience.

My consulting work includes providing counsel, effectiveness coaching and support to senior leaders to create opportunities to build productive relationships, facilitate learning and to embrace change. Complementing a diploma in public relations from Durham College and a degree in Business Admin/Political Science from Trent University, I have a Certificate in Managing Strategic Change from the Rotman School of Management, and a Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Trent University.

My corporate training and experience is rounded out with a Certificate in Trauma Counselling from the University of Toronto. I have attended Fundamentals of Natural Lifemanship training in trauma-focused equine assisted psychotherapy and completed Somatic Experiencing® Professional Training in Beginning 1 & 2 Modules and EQUSOMA™ – Introduction to Somatic Experiencing® Skills for Equine-Facilitated Practitioners. I am also a Reddin-Global certified Effectiveness Coach and I have been initiated in the First Degree of the Usui System of Reiki Healing.

Away from the office, I am an avid gardener, nature lover and mixed media artist believing in the reincarnation of found objects and images. In 2001, my husband, Chris, and I said goodbye to city living and embraced country life. When our two daughters left the nest, we pursued a shared dream of owning a farm. Shortly after our purchase of Renegade Ridge Farm in Indian River, Ontario in 2011, my first horse, Sunny (with a Chance of Tornado) found me. Today we have a wonderful herd of horses, a few goats, a donkey, dogs, cats and other creatures. With its large perennial gardens and history, this century farm offers the perfect setting for individuals, teams and small groups to explore what’s possible and enjoy greater overall well-being, while connecting with horses and nature. We are living life fully with intent.

To learn more about the benefits of working with horses as natural coaches, watch our video.

Our Community of Expertise

We work with a team and network of Facilitated Equine Experiential Learning (FEEL) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) certified facilitators, social workers, psychiatrists, psychotherapists and corporate and life coaches to support programming. Delivery teams are determined by client needs. Learn more about our community here.

Our Herd – Your Coaches and Facilitators

“How beautiful and soulful your gorgeous herd is. I truly loved them all. I felt overwhelming joy just standing there taking in the vista of their incredible energy and aura.” Client, The Mane Intent

Our herd includes a mixture of mares and geldings who arrive at the farm with a variety of life experiences — much like many of our clients. This is a gentle, relaxed herd. Each horse brings a unique personality and their own story to this work as they engage on the ground in partnership with our clients. If you are seeking a safe place to explore what’s possible while being mindful of your heart’s desire — then our herd is here to welcome and walk together with you. Or perhaps you are looking for a unique team builder to bring your colleagues together — we’re here for you to help you every step of the way.

Please see the individual stories that define each of our herd members by visiting their profiles below: